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The Arc of Shelby County will celebrate 50 years of serving the community on Thursday Aug. 22 from 6-9 p.m. at the Inverness Country Club with a variety of festivities for attendees to enjoy. (Contributed)

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By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

NORTH SHELBY – Residents can look forward to a night of food, drinks, live entertainment and more during The Arc of Shelby County’s 50th anniversary celebration.

The Arc of Shelby County will celebrate 50 years of serving the community on Thursday Aug. 22 from 6-9 p.m. at the Inverness Country Club with a variety of festivities for attendees to enjoy.

“I think it’s an amazing milestone for us to have been able to serve so many people in Shelby County and enrich the lives of so many families, individuals and parents,” said Carole Lyons, director of development and community relations at The Arc of Shelby County.

Entertainment during the anniversary celebration will be provided by the group Blackberry Breeze Duo, who play a variety of tunes, including music from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s as well as different genres such as Hip hop, reggae and Motown.

“(The event is) a way to thank our community for all they have done to support us over the past 50 years, and we want to share the celebration with everyone,” Carole said. “We also want to continue to raise more funds to support (our) programs and services so we can enrich the lives of more individuals and families.”

Tickets for the event are $100 per person and include hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine. Additional beverages will also be available for purchase during the celebration. A silent auction will also be held during the event with a variety of items up for purchase.

“We have some fabulous items that will be on the silent auction,” Carole said. “We have jewelry from Diamonds Direct and we have sports items, tickets (and) signed footballs.”

The Arc of Shelby County is a 503(c)(3) non-profit located in Pelham that aims to empower individuals with developmental delays and their families through advocacy, coaching and support.

The organization was founded in 1974 as an advocacy organization by a concerned group of parents with the initial purpose of serving as a support for parents of children with intellectual disabilities. After several years of assisting other organizations with direct services, in 1988 the organization opened an early intervention program to serve children from birth to age five with developmental delays. In 1999, The Arc of Shelby County began a supported employment program to meet the needs of adults with developmental disabilities.

The Arc of Shelby County has grown from a small support group into an advocacy agency that has had direct contact with more than 1,500 children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families each year.

“As we celebrate our 50th year of serving individuals and families with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Shelby County, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude,” said Jeannine Lyons, executive director of The Arc of Shelby County. “Over the past five decades, our organization has been dedicated to empowering and supporting individuals and families with disabilities, ensuring they have the opportunities and resources they need to lead fulfilling lives. This milestone is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our staff, volunteers and partners who have tirelessly advocated for and supported our mission. It is also a reflection of the incredible resilience and achievements of the individuals we serve.”

The Arc of Shelby County advocates for policies and programs that benefit people with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their families. The organization also educates policymakers, people with developmental and intellectual disabilities, service providers, families and others on best practices and issues that impact people with developmental and intellectual disabilities and their families.

“As we move forward, we remain committed to our mission and are excited about the future,” Jeannine said. “We will continue to innovate, collaborate and advocate to ensure that Shelby County is a place where all individuals, regardless of their abilities, can thrive.”

The Arc of Shelby County is located at 203 Amphitheater Road in Pelham. Those interested in learning more about The Arc of Shelby County can visits its website at Thearcofshelby.org or its official Facebook page at Facebook.com/thearcofshelbyco.

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